Foster Care Event Success in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (APN) — People of all ages and backgrounds gathered at the Grand Rapids Center Saturday, May 3rd for Community Transformation for the Caring for Children of Color Youth Resource Fair. 

“I am so grateful that community has really shown up today,” said Beanka Masefiade, the Executive Director of Osofomaame.

Osofomaame an organization helping Black youth in west Michigan, hosted the inaugural event aimed at getting the community together wrapped around foster care awareness, Black joy and family.

"This is our mini family reunion so these organizations are just bringing the vibes of family, of love," said Masefiade.

Organizations and characters like Wimmes Words, The Diatribe, Endless Opportunities, Succeeding While Achieving Greatness, Taylor Made Re-Entry, Better Wiser Stronger and more all shared their time and resources with the public.

"A lot of work that we do is wrapped around the health of the family right and so it’s important to have a diversity of organizations that speak to the wholistic health of the family," said Masefiade. "So that's mental health, that's exposure, that's mentorship, that’s financial literacy. So all of these things are part of making a family, healthy and whole and making sure that they are thriving in communities."

The family reunion-like environment was welcoming and positive. There were activities like basketball, a Photo Booth, aerial arts, face painting, dancing, and food.

The most important takeaway was coming together as a community, a village and learning the best ways to support Black youth in Michigan.

"They’re walking away with a swag bag. They’re walking away with connections within these organizations that they can continue to connect to and follow up, programming that they can use this summer," said Masefiade. "They’re walking away with information around foster care awareness."

Masefiade said she plans to hold the event annually.